Telecommunications functions management system providing selective alerting based on caller identifier

ABSTRACT

The personal communications controller (PCC) may be programmed with a customized service configuration based on which telecommunications functions in connection with multiple telephone terminals are managed. The PCC system is designed to provide enhanced service value to all of the telephone terminals throughout a residence coupled to a single telephone communication line entering the residence. The PCC may provide service differentiation on an individual basis to the telephone terminals and, furthermore, differentiated treatment may be effected on a per telephone call basis. The customized service configuration may be generated using a personal computer from which it is downloaded to the PCC.

This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional application60/011,019 filed Feb. 1, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to telecommunication management systemsand, in particular, to a programmable personal communications controllersystem whereby a user may effectively manage residentialtelecommunication functions in accordance with a personal serviceconfiguration programmed therein. The service configuration defines howthe system responds to various attributes associated with eitherincoming or outgoing calls.

Intelligent telephone terminals have been evolving in terms of featuresand services supported thereby for management of telecommunicationsfunctions. Such intelligent terminals are typically characterized by amicroprocessor based telephone set having a liquid crystal display(LCD), which together with the common telephone keypad and a fewsoftkeys provide a user interface whereby the terminal may be programmedand controlled for personal operation. Furthermore, these intelligenttelephone terminals are known to be equipped with one or more of thefollowing conventional functionality: a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF)generator, a DTMF decoder, a digital telephone answering device (DTAD),a time of day (TOD) clock and a calling line identification (CLID)device.

However, the technology capabilities and corresponding service andfeature opportunities in existing intelligent telephones have outgrownthe capacity of a user to personalize and configure the telephone. Theuser interface represents a bottleneck to full personalization whichpoint is best illustrated by the following example.

Nortel's 9516 telephone set, a commercially available intelligenttelephone terminal having a TOD clock, a two line LCD display and CLIDcapabilities provides the ability to define a feature key that displayscall duration. When you press the key, the LCD display changes fromdisplaying details about the call, either caller identification forterminating call or calling information for originating calls, todisplaying call duration time. Press the key again and the displayreturns to call details.

Other intelligent telephone sets are known to provide a similar calltimer that is continuously displayed on their LCD display. A call timerfunction can be assigned to one of the programmable keys provided on theset. It's function is to reset the timer to zero.

Still other vendors have telephone sets with a call duration timer ontheir LCD display. Programming of the telephone set simply enables ordisables the call timer on a permanent basis.

These represent at least three different variations on implementation ofthe call timer feature. Telephone set manufacturers generally pick aspecific implementation and then provide a programming function wherebya user may only enable or disable this feature.

It would not be difficult to implement the several variations within thetelephone set firmware. The difficulty is in providing a configurationsetup interface using the LCD display and keypad of the intelligentterminal that empowers the user to configure the call timer feature tohis particular personalization.

Speed calling directories is another example where the inadequacy of thetelephone display/keypad user interface. Many intelligent telephones nowhave an internal directory of name and telephone number lists.Typically, these telephones do not include an alphanumeric keyboard sothat names are entered from the digit keypad. For instance, the "2" keyis for entering the letters "ABC"; press once for "A", press twice for"B", a third press for "C".

Furthermore, any telecommunication management functions provided by theintelligent telephone terminal are limited to itself and thus it is notparticularly useful in a residence having a multiple telephone extensionwiring configuration connected to which it is common to find severaltelephone sets. Still further, there is no way to add incrementalservice functionality to existing telephone terminals without eitherreplacing the terminal or at a minimum effecting some kind of hardwaremodification, upgrade.

It is, therefore, desirable to have adjunct system that providesflexibility for a user to truly personalize its configuration andwhereby enhanced telecommunications services and features are supportedfor multiple telephone terminals within the user's residence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedmethod and apparatus for managing telecommunication functions.

The invention, therefore, according to a first broad aspect provides ina telecommunications functions management system for atelecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephoneterminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephoneterminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications networkwhich provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to thesubscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming callcomprising the steps of: providing one or more predetermined callidentifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one ormore alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incomingcall identifier to a particular identifier of the one or morepredetermined call identifiers; and activating the one or more alertersassociated with the particular identifier.

In accordance with a second broad aspect, the invention provides for atelecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephoneterminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephoneterminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications networkwhich provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to thesubscriber, a system for managing alerting of the incoming callcomprising: means for providing one or more predetermined callidentifiers; means for associating each predetermined call identifierwith one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; means forcorrelating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier ofthe one or more predetermined call identifiers; and means for activatingthe one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier.

A personal communications controller (PCC), embodying the presentinvention, may be programmed with a personal service configuration basedon which telecommunications functions in connection with multipletelephone terminals are managed. The PCC system is designed to provideenhanced service value to all of the telephone terminals throughout aresidence coupled to a single telephone communication line entering theresidence. The PCC may provide service differentiation on an individualbasis to the telephone terminals and, furthermore, differentiatedtreatment may be effected on a per telephone call basis.

A wireline arrangement of the personal communications controller systemeffects a signaling protocol between the PCC and the telephone sets overthe single twisted pair telephony wiring existing within the residence.The signaling is shared with normal analog telephone line operation byutilizing a frequency band which is above the telephony band. It isfully compatible with existing conventional analog telephone signalingand voice. The signaling operates transparently and invisibly to thetelephone central office. The PCC includes suitable protection equipmentto prevent leakage of its signaling outside the home into the telephonecompany wiring.

A wireless arrangement of the present system comprises the PCCintegrated into a base station which is able to communicate and controlmultiple cordless handsets over radio frequency channels.

A personal computer (PC) or any other data processing workstation may beutilized to generate the service configuration which is then downloadedtherefrom to the PCC. In operation, however, the PCC represents astandalone "computer peripheral" that operates independently andexternally to the PC for call processing. The PC brings advantageousvalue to the PCC system. The role of the PC is to unblock thepersonalization bottleneck. An intuitive graphical interface on the PCenables a much broader flexibility of configuration and the standard PCkeyboard is a more efficient input means for generating the serviceconfiguration, for instance, to do data entry.

The service configuration defines parameter in accordance with which thePCC operates. For instance, the PCC may have installed a number ofpredefined features and services for which the personal serviceconfiguration may include parameters that indicate to either activate ordeactivate specific ones as desired. For frequently used features, thisapproach is beneficial. Other operational parameters include associatinga distinctive alert cadence with a particular calling number and,further, a particular mailbox to leave a message if the call is notanswered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood from the following descriptionof a personal communications controller system together with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that generally represents the personalcommunications controller system;

FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate various configurations of the personalcommunications controller system at a subscriber's residence;

FIG. 3a is a block diagram illustrating internal details of a personalcommunications controller and satellite control module for wirelineimplementation of the system;

FIG. 3b is a block diagram illustrating internal details of the personalcommunications controller for a second wireline implementation of thesystem;

FIG. 3c is a block diagram illustrating internal details of the personalcommunications controller for a wireless implementation of the system;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect an automatic attendantfunctionality;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect selective ringing functionality;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect toll alerting functionality;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect do not disturb, time of day blockingand priority override functionality;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect single number service functionality;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect selective outgoing call blockingfunctionality; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting operation of the personalcommunications controller to effect data call protection functionality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, depicted for illustrating the personalcommunications controller system, in accordance with the presentinvention, is a personal communications controller (PCC) 10 which may beconnected through a conventional communication line 12 to a centraloffice 14 of a telephone network and to which a plurality of telephoneterminals 16 may be communicatively coupled, through either wireline orwireless connectability represented by line 18. The communication line12 may be a typical analog subscriber loop having tip and ring leads, anintegrated service digital network line or other conventional interfacesfor network access. The communicative coupling 18 may be effected by aparallel connection between the PCC 10 and all telephone terminals 16,individual connections for respective terminal 16 to the PCC 10 and,alternatively, employing a combination of parallel and independentconnections. Also connectable to the PCC 10 is a personal computerworkstation or PC 20.

The personal communications controller system and specifically the PCC10 constitutes subscriber premise equipment that is logically positionedintermediate and operationally interconnects the telephone networkwiring, namely line 12, entering a subscriber's residence and thetelephone terminals 16 dispersed throughout the residence. It, however,should be understood that the PCC 10 is not necessarily limited toserially connecting, in physical terms, the communication line 12 to theterminals 16. This logical positioning enables the PCC 10 to act as atelecommunication hub which intercepts, blocks and processes signalingand voice between the line 12 and telephone terminals 16 to therebyeffectively manage residential telecommunications functions. Examples ofservices and features supported for management functions in connectionwith incoming calls include determining which calls to answer, when toanswer and where to send answered calls. Similar options and controlsare supported for outgoing calls. The PCC 10 may provide differentiatedcall treatment, such as alerting and originating features, on a pertelephone terminal basis and on a per telephone call basis, to themultiple telephone terminals 16 connected to the telephone network viathe single line 12.

Various configurations for installation of the PCC 10 at thesubscriber's residence are possible. FIG. 2a exemplifies both wirelineand wireless based installations, wherein the PCC 10 is integrated intoa cordless telephone base station which is connected to an extension ofthe single line inhouse telephony wiring 22 which provides multipletelephone extensions in parallel. The base station has the capability toestablish radio wave links over which it may control and communicatewith multiple remote cordless handset 24. Satellite communicator modules(SCMs) 26 are connected to other telephone extensions, and one or moreconventional analog telephone sets 28 may be connected to each SCM 26.The inhouse wiring 22 is the medium over which a bi-directionalsignaling path between the PCC 10 and the SCMs 26 may be established. Inaddition to providing telecommunications management functions on a pertelephone call basis, each handset 28 and SCM 26 may be addressedindividually by the PCC 10 whereby enhanced services may be provisionedon a per telephone terminal basis, in accordance with a programmedservice configuration for the particular handset 28 or telephone set 24corresponding to the particular SCM 26.

The SCM 26 enables the provision of enhanced services on an individualbasis to the telephone sets 28 which otherwise are connected in parallelby the inhouse wiring 22 at extensions that are remotely located in theresidence distant from the PCC 10. The SCM 26 is able to intercept andeven block signals between the telephone line 12 and its locallyconnected set 28. For example, the PCC 10 could determine that anincoming call is intended for a particular person and then would signalonly the appropriate SCMs 26 to provide ringing indication; there wouldbe no ringing indications at telephone sets attached to other SCMs. TheSCMs 26 could either block, enable or even generate ringing signals fortheir locally connected telephone sets 28. Preferably, the ringingnotification of the sets 28 connected to the SCMs 26 would be disabledand an internal SCM ringing generator or any other means for alerting ofan incoming call could be used. It is envisioned that the SCMfunctionality may be integrated into the telephone sets 28 instead ofemploying two separate devices.

Another configuration of the personal communications controller system,shown in FIG. 2b, is a wireline based installation having the PCC 10disposed as an entrance unit between the communications line 12 enteringthe residence and all the telephone extensions of the inhouse telephonywiring 22. In this particular arrangement, the PCC 10 connects to andcontrols in parallel conventional telephone sets 28 attached to thevarious telephone extensions, and supports enhanced telephony serviceson a per telephone call basis as the telephone sets 28 may not beindividually controlled. Alternatively, each telephone extension may beprovisioned with an SCM 26 whereby the sets 28 connected thereto maythen be independently controlled, and cordless handsets may also beutilized.

It should be understood that the handsets 24 and the telephone sets 28are merely exemplary of the types of telephone terminals 16, referred toabove in connection with FIG. 1, that man utilized in conjunction withthe PCC 10. The telephone terminals 16 are representative ofconventional telephony equipment by which a person interfaces with thetelephone network and, in particular, associated with each telephoneterminal 16 is an incoming call alerter (e.g., ringing indicator) whichis controllable by the PCC 10.

The PC 20, advantageously forming part of the personal communicationscontroller system, is connectable to the PCC 10 and functions to provideservice configuration and programming for the PCC 10. A graphical userinterface facilitates use of the PC 20 for generating a serviceconfiguration which is then downloaded to the PCC 10. The PC 20 is notinvolved in the real time processing of telephone calls and thereforemay be disconnected from the PCC 10 once it has been programmed.Communication between the PCC 10 and the PC 20, as illustrated in FIGS.2a and 2b, may be effected through a dedicated link 30 such as an RS-232bus attached to the serial port of the PC 20 or, alternatively, over theinhouse telephony wiring 22 by utilizing a modem for this purpose.

Turning now to FIG. 3a, depicted are the functional modules within thePCC 10 and the SCM 26, which combination corresponds to the wirelineimplementation of the personal communications controller system of FIG.2a and is generally referenced by 31. The PCC 10 comprise a processor 32which interacts with a ring detector 34, line interface 36, calling lineidentifier (CLID) 38, tone detector 40, digital telephone answeringdevice (DTAD) 42, parallel set detector 44, SCM interface 46, computerinterface 48, time of day (TOD) clock 50, service configuration 52 and abasic telephone unit 54. The SCM 26 includes a processor 56 whichinteracts with a PCC/terminal interface 58 and a ring generator 60 as analerter which is operable at multiple cadences.

The line interface 36 serves to couple the PCC 10 to the tip and ringleads of the communication line 12 of the central office, and isserially connected across internal tip and ring leads 62 to the SCMinterface 46. The line interface 36 includes a call terminationimpedance together with an on-hook/off-hook switching functioncontrolled by the processor 32 in order to answer incoming calls. Italso includes suitable line protection circuitry to prevent leakage ofthe PCC signaling into the telephone network wiring. The SCM interface46 is adapted to couple the PCC 10 to the single line telephony wiring22 to which multiple SCMs 26, via their PCC/terminal interface 58, areconnected in parallel at various extensions within a subscriber'sresidence. The SCM interface 46 and PCC interface 58 communicate througha bi-directional signaling protocol whereby the PCC 10 is able toindividually address remote SCMs 26 using telephone company regulatorcompliant techniques on the single line twisted pair wiring 22. Asignaling channel is effected on the line 22 outside the regular voicechannel, and thus signaling is shared with normal analog telephone lineoperation. It is fully compatible with existing conventional analogtelephone signaling and voice. The signaling operates transparently andinvisibly to the telephone network central office.

It should be understood that the inhouse wiring 22 and thecommunications line 12 may be the same subscriber loop which isconnected to the central office of the telephone network and therefore,as shown in FIG. 2a, the PCC 10 can be connected in parallel with theother extension telephone sets 28 within the subscriber's residence.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2b, the PCC 10 may provide a circuitconnection between line 12 from the central office and the inhousetelephony wiring 22.

Turning back to FIG. 3a, the PCC/terminal interface 58 of the SCM 26 isalso adapted for coupling the SCM to a telephone terminal and includes aswitching function operated by its processors 56 in order to connect ordisconnect the terminal from wiring 22. The ring generator 60 iscontrolled by the processor 56 in accordance with control commandsreceived from the PCC 10, to produce distinctive ringing associated withthe telephone terminal.

Within the PCC 10, the ring detector 34 is connected across the tip andring leads of the communication line 12 for detecting incoming ringsignals from the central office and reporting same to the processor 32which may then take action in any of a number of ways, in accordancewith the service configuration 52. The CLID 38 provides, in a CLASSenvironment, reception and display of calling details as well as storageof details from previous incoming calls, up to a certain limit. Theintegrated DTAD 42 functions include voice storage and synthesis forgreetings and prompts, DTMF digit recognition, multiple voice messagemailboxes and speed calling directories. The tone detector 40 detectsvarious tones including dial tone, ringback tone, busy tone and thelike, the reception of each being identified to the processor 32. Theparallel set detector 44 functions to recognize whether or not telephoneterminals at other extensions are off-hook (i.e., in use) and provides aoutput signal indicative of such to the processor 32. The computerinterface 48 may be a serial port and/or integrated modem forcommunication with the PC 20. The TOD clock 50 is utilized by theprocessor 32 in implementing any time related services and features ofthe personal communications controller system.

The basic telephone unit 54 consists of conventional telephone setequipment, such as, a DTMF keypad and user configurable "feature" keysfor functions like dialing frequently called numbers, a handset, a LCDdisplay and an optional handsfree unit. The telephone unit 54 enablesthe PCC 10 be utilized as an addition extension telephone set.

The service configuration 52 constitutes configuration data which isdownloaded via the computer interface 48 from the PC 20 and whichcontrols operation of the processor 32. The configuration 52 definesoperational parameters for the PCC 10 and includes address informationin respect of each SCM 26 with which the PCC 10 communicates, directoryinformation, feature activation and deactivation indications as well asfurther operational data used by active features, if appropriate.

FIG. 3b depicts a second embodiment 70 of the functional structure ofthe PCC 10 for the wireline implementation corresponding to FIG. 2b.This second embodiment 70 is substantially similar to the firstembodiment 31 of the PCC system in FIG. 3a, except the PCC 10 in FIG. 3bnow includes a ring generator 72 and a terminal interface 73 to whichthe multiple telephone terminals are connected in parallel over theinhouse wiring 22. FIG. 3c depicts a wireless based embodiment 74 of thePCC 10 that includes a transceiver radio 76 and antenna 78 incombination, by which the PCC 10 interacts with and controls anotherwise convention cordless handset 24 as shown in FIG. 2a, forexample, to ring when an appropriate incoming call is received by thePCC.

The following describes exemplary services and features supported by thepersonal communications controller system, as illustrated in FIG. 1.These services span three functional area: incoming call termination andsignaling, call origination, and call integrity.

Call Termination and Signaling

Under the call termination and signaling functional area, services andfeatures include an automatic attendant, selective and distinctiveringing, toll alert, a do not disturb (DND) feature, time of day (TOD)blocking, priority override, call detail recording, and single numberservice.

Automatic Attendant

FIG. 4 exemplifies a process for effecting by the PCC 10 the automaticattendant function. When the PCC 10 detects a ringing signal on the line12, responsive thereto the PCC 10 functions as an automatic attendant todetermine a recipient for whom an incoming call is destined and thenproperly alert the intended recipient. It is noted that a recipient maybe an individual, such as, each member of a household or a group ofindividuals, such as, the adults and the kids within the household.There are two techniques that may be used for destination determination:

1) If the calling number (CLID) is provided by the central office 14 ofthe telephone network, the PCC 10 will utilized the CLID information andlook for a match within one or more internal lists of directory numberswhich form part of the configuration data. For instance, each recipient(e.g., adults and kits or individuals within the household) may have arespective directory list containing directory numbers corresponding topersons from whom calls are frequently received. Each directory listalso contains information about the type of alerting for the particularrecipient attached to that list.

2) If the CLID information is not provided by the central office or amatch is not found in the directory lists within the configuration data,then the PCC 10 will automatically answer the call and present a routingor call treatment options menu to the caller. For example, the PCC 10may voice prompt for a touch tone digit--"For adults press 1, for kidspress 2"--and based on the received DTMF digit, the appropriaterecipient for routing of the call is determined. For each routingoption, there is a specified within the configuration data the type ofalerting.

Once the automatic attendant has determined the destination of the call,it will properly alert the household members as described in theselective ringing feature below.

Selective Ringing

The automatic attendant service implemented by the PCC 10 has determinedwho an incoming call is for. Selective ringing then determines how toring or alert that intended recipient. FIG. 5 exemplifies a process foreffecting selective ringing.

The alerting by the PCC 10 can be configured to be via distinctiveringing and/or via selective ones of the telephone terminals 16. Theparticular telephone terminal or multiple terminals 16 and theparticular ringing cadence are indicated in the configuration data foreach recipient and the appropriate selective ringing is based on thedetermined destination for the incoming call.

This service is implemented by the capability of the PCC 10 to answer acall and then, for example in relation to the PCC embodiment 31 in FIG.3a, use the internal ringing generator 60 within the SCM 26 to re-ringindividual extension telephone sets. The PCC 10 transmits over theinhouse telephone wiring an appropriate control signal in which thespecific SCMs 26 that generate rings are identified together with thespecific ring pattern. For the wireless embodiment of the PCC 74 in FIG.3c, a similar control signal may be transmitted over a radio wave link,to activate ring generators of the specific handsets 24 in accordancewith the specific ring pattern.

A typical application would be to configure the kitchen and family roomtelephones to always ring on all calls but with a distinctive ringingcadence for different recipients. Bedroom and office phones can beconfigured to only ring for the actual "occupants" of those rooms.

Toll Alert

FIG. 6 exemplifies a process for toll alerting effected by the PCC 10.Toll alerting is based on the CLID for an incoming call in conjunctionwith a user defined toll DN list. The PCC 10 compares the area code ornumbering plan area (NPA) of a received CLID with the user's local NPAwhich forms part of the configuration data and recognizes the incomingcall as being a toll call when the two NPAs do not match. Furthermore,an incoming call CLID whose NPA matches the local NPA may still berecognized as a toll call if the incoming DN matches an entry in thepre-defined toll DN list. Recognized toll calls may be identified assuch by a distinctive ring cadence (e.g., two shorter rings) which isdefined in the configuration data in association with the local NPA. Inaddition, at the user's discretion, these toll calls may be routed to aspecific telephone terminal or terminals 16 which are specified in theconfiguration data.

FIG. 7 exemplifies a process for effecting by the PCC 10 a do notdisturb (DND), time of day (TOD) blocking, and priority overridefunctions described in the following.

Do Not Disturb

The "do not disturb" (DND) feature is beneficial for when users desire a"quite time", for instance so that they can simply relay, read a paper,or eat a meal without being disturbed by incoming calls. The DND featuremay be activated on an as needed basis, either for a predeterminedinterval of time as specified in the configuration data or indefinitely,by depressing a key on the PCC 10 or any extension telephone terminal16. When this feature is active, incoming calls are routed immediatelyto a mailbox where the caller is invited to record a message. Eachrecipient directory list may identify with one of the multiple mailboxesprovided by the DTAD 24, with selection of the mailbox being dependentupon correlating the CLID of the incoming call to a particularrecipient. Also, each call treatment option provided by the automaticattendant may be associated with a particular mailbox, to which thecaller is routed when that option is selected an the DND feature isactive.

Time of Day (TOD) Ringing and Blocking

At the user's discretion, calls will not be allowed by the PCC 10 toring the telephone terminals 16 at specific intervals in the day, andinstead the caller may be presented with a specific greeting. As anexample, calls received after 10 p.m. could be routed to a greeting suchas "The Smith family does not take calls after 10 p.m. Please call againtomorrow". Alternatively, the PCC 10 could invite the caller to leave amessage in a general mailbox, or the mailbox of the intended recipientto which the incoming CLID corresponds or the mailbox associated withthe selected call treatment option. Users may provide as part of theconfiguration data a time of day window (i.e., a start time and finishtime) and at receipt of an incoming call, the PCC 10 retrieves currenttime from its internal TOD clock to determine whether that call shouldbe blocked or enabled.

Priority Override

Priority override provides a means for selected callers to "breakthrough" the call screening features effected by the PCC 10 and ring anyor all of the telephone terminals 16 in the residence. A predeterminedoverride password forms part of the configuration data and when a callerenters the password via the touch-tone (DTMF) keypad, the PCC 10 thenrings desired terminals, with or without a distinctive ring. The desiredone or more terminals may be specified in connection with the overridepassword in the configuration data or, alternatively, all the terminals16 may be rung.

Incoming Call Detail Recording

Details of incoming calls are recorded and stored in memory of the PCC10. Subsequently, this information may be uploaded to the PC 20 where itcan be used to build or amend personal contact lists, such as, Christmascard lists, business contacts, community & school service groups and thelike.

Single Number Service

FIG. 8 exemplifies a process for effecting single number service by thePCC. Incoming calls can be re-routed by the PCC 10 to another directorynumber, such as, that of a cellular service. The DN for rewriting maysimply be a single predetermined number forming part of theconfiguration data or there may multiple rewriting DNs with selection ofan appropriate one being based on any of time of day, incoming callerCLID information, priority override or by a menu selection from the autoattendant. This feature requires either two lines or ISDN service to thecentral office 14 of the telephone network.

Call Origination

Services and features under this functional area include selectiveblocking of outgoing calls, call detail recording and selective bargein, for which operation of the PCC 10 is described below.

Selective Outgoing Call Blocking

FIG. 9 exemplifies a process for effecting selective blocking ofoutgoing calls. The PCC 10 may use the combination of dialed DTMF digitsand originating extension telephone terminal identification numbersreceived from the terminal at which an outgoing call is beingoriginated, to determine whether or not to allow the outgoing call toproceed. For example, outgoing toll calls could be blocked when theyoriginate from a terminal 16 located in child's bedroom. Theconfiguration data contains specific directory numbers and directorystrings with wild card characters, such as 900*, which are associatedwith terminal identifiers corresponding to telephone terminals 16 fromwhich originating calls are to be blocked by the PCC 10.

Alternatively, all outgoing calls could be blocked from a particularterminal 16, for example, in the child's room between 11:00 PM and 7:00AM. In this case, the time window for blocking the outgoing call wouldbe specified together with the identification number of that terminal 16in the configuration data.

A more extensive service is to limit a child to a predetermined number"XX" hours a month of outgoing toll calls. All subsequent toll callswould be blocked. This may be effected by providing in the configurationdata a value for the maximum number of hours to be allowed together withan identifier of the telephone terminal the child should use when makingthe toll calls. The PCC 10 maintains a count of time for toll calls fromthat terminal and once the maximum is depleted, the PCC 10 inhibitsfurther toll calls. As described above in connection with toll alertingfor incoming calls, recognition of outgoing calls as toll calls may bedone by comparing the NPA of the dialed DN to the local NPA (i.e., tollif different) or by comparing the dialed DN to a pre-defined list oftoll numbers. Another service is for the PCC 10 to accumulate totalcalling time to a particular DN, for example, an online service; once amonthly limit is exceeded then all subsequent calls to the onlineservice are blocked. The particular number and time limit are specifiedin the configuration data.

Call Detail Recording For Outgoing Calls

Details of outgoing calls are recorded and stored on the PCC 10 fromwhich it subsequently may be uploaded to the PC 20. This information maybe used, for example, to track activities and telecommunicationsexpenses associated with personal work for non-profit organizations andcommunity or school service groups. Such activity can be recorded foreach member of the family and for each telephone terminal 16 in theresidence.

Selective Barge In

The PCC 10 can selectively prevent other extensions from inadvertently"barging into" an existing call. It could be as simple as preventing allother extensions from entering any telephone call that originates in theoffice/study. For instance, the SCMs 26 of the embodiment for the PCCsystem in FIG. 3a could disconnect, under the command of the PCC 10,their respective telephone terminals from the inhouse telephony wiring.

Call Integrity and Administration

Examples of services and features provided in this functional areainclude data call protection, call timing alerts, and file and datatransfer.

Data Call Protection

This feature prevents other extensions from entering a pre-existing FAXor data call, and potentially interrupting the modem tones. FIG. 10exemplifies a process for effecting data call protection by the PCC 10.

For the embodiment 31 in FIG. 3a, when the PCC 10 detects a call from aSCM 26 connected to a FAX machine or modem then it knows a data call isin progress. Alternatively, when a user sets up a data call on his/herresidential line, he or she may elect to disable network features suchas Call Waiting, by dialing a standard code at the start of the call(i.e.: *67). When the PCC 10 detects such a signal, all (or selected)extensions in the home may be disabled. The PCC 10 controls theappropriate SCMs 26 to open an internal switch whereby its attachedtelephone terminal is disconnected from the inhouse telephony wiring, sothe data call cannot be inadvertently knocked down by an extension going"off-hook".

Call Timing Alerts

Calls (either incoming or outgoing) are timed by the PCC 10 for purposesof call detail recording. The user can pre-record voice messages thatwill be played over the conversation at prescribed intervals. Forinstance, on outgoing toll calls, announcements such as "Ten minutes","Twenty minutes" could be read out at the appropriate intervals.

File and Data Transfer

Files and data may be transferred to and from the PCC 10 and the PC 20.Data such as speed call lists, caller lists and long distance callsummaries, and configuration files such as Time of Day ringing iscreated or modified at either the PCC 10 or the PC 20. Such data can beloaded either to the PC 20 for storage and further manipulation or downto the PCC 10 for implementation. Transfer and synchronization activityis automatic, running at off-peak intervals, and interrupted immediatelyif an incoming or outgoing call is initiated.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications andchanges could be made to the invention without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. It should therefore be understood that the claims arenot to be considered as being limited to the precise embodiments of thepersonal communications controller system set forth above, in theabsence of specific limitations directed to each embodiment.

We claim:
 1. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, wherein the plurality of alerters are operable at a plurality of cadences, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; associating each predetermined call identifier with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; wherein the step of activating the one or more alerters includes controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the one cadence associated with the particular identifier; providing one or more predetermined call treatment options; associating each predetermined call treatment option with one or more of the plurality of alerters; prompting, when the incoming call identifier is not available or not correlatable to any of the predetermined call identifiers, the incoming call with the predetermined call treatment options; correlating, responsive to receiving an input selection from the incoming call, the input selection to a particular call treatment of the one or more predetermined call treatment options; and activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular call treatment.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:associating each predetermined call treatment option with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; and the step of activating the one or more alerters includes controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the one cadence associated with the particular call treatment.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising the steps of:measuring time; providing a call blocking time interval; and responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval, not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, comprising associating each predetermined call treatment option with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular call treatment.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, comprising the steps of:providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and responsive to the do not disturb indication, not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 7. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; providing one or more predetermined call treatment options; associating each predetermined call treatment option with one or more of the plurality of alerters; prompting, when the incoming call identifier is not available or not correlatable to any of the predetermined call identifiers, the incoming call with the predetermined call treatment options; correlating, responsive to receiving an input selection from the incoming call, the input selection to a particular call treatment of the one or more predetermined call treatment options; and activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular call treatment.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7, comprising associating each predetermined call treatment option with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; and the step of activating the one or more alerters includes controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the once cadence associated with the particular call treatment.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 8, comprising the steps of:measuring time; providing a call blocking time interval; and responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval, not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, comprising associating each predetermined call treatment option with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising the steps of:providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and responsive to the do not disturb indication, not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 13. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; measuring time; providing a call blocking time interval; and activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier responsive to the measured time not being within the call blocking time interval, and not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 14, comprising the steps of:providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and responsive to the do not disturb indication, not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 16. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier when do not disturb is not indicated, and not activating any of the plurality of alerters and routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable when do not disturb is indicated.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the step of routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 18. For a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, wherein the plurality of alerters are operable at a plurality of cadences, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a system for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising:means for providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; means for correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call identifier with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; wherein the means for activating the one or more alerters includes means for controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the one cadence associated with the particular identifier; means for providing one or more predetermined call treatment options; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call treatment option with one or more of the plurality of alerters; means for prompting, when the incoming call identifier is not available or not correlatable to any of the predetermined call identifiers, the incoming call with the predetermined call treatment options; means for correlating, responsive to receiving an input selection from the incoming call, the input selection to a particular call treatment of the one or more predetermined call treatment options; and means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular call treatment.
 19. A system as claimed in claim 18, further comprisingmeans for associating each predetermined call treatment option with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; and wherein the means for activating the one or more alerters includes means for controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the one cadence associated with the particular call treatment.
 20. A system as claimed in claim 19, comprising:means for measuring time; means for providing a call blocking time interval; and means, responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising means for associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 22. A system as claimed in claim 21, comprising means for associating each predetermined call treatment option with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular call treatment.
 23. A system as claimed in claim 22, comprising:means for providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and means, responsive to the do not disturb indication, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 24. For a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a system for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising:means for providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; means for correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; means for providing one or more predetermined call treatment options; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call treatment option with one or more of the plurality of alerters; means for prompting, when the incoming call identifier is not available or not correlatable to any of the predetermined call identifiers, the incoming call with the predetermined call treatment options; means for correlating, responsive to receiving an input selection from the incoming call, the input selection to a particular call treatment of the one or more predetermined call treatment options; and means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular call treatment.
 25. A system as claimed in claim 24, comprising means for associating each predetermined call treatment option with one cadence of the plurality of cadences; and wherein the means for activating the one or more alerters includes means for controlling the one or more alerters to operate at the one cadence associated with the particular call treatment.
 26. A system as claimed in claim 25, comprising:means for measuring time; means for providing a call blocking time interval; and means, responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 27. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising means for associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 28. A system as claimed in claim 27, comprising means for associating each predetermined call treatment option with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 29. A system as claimed in claim 28, comprising:means for providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and means, responsive to the do not disturb indication, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 30. For a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a system for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising:means for providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; means for correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; means for measuring time; means for providing a call blocking time interval; and means, responsive to the measured time being within the call blocking time interval, for not activating any of the one or more alerters and for routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 31. A system as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising means for associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 32. A system as claimed in claim 31, comprising:means for providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and means, responsive to the do not disturb indication, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to the mailbox.
 33. For a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a system for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising:means for providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for enabling a subscriber to associate each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; means for correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; means for activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; means for providing, by the subscriber, an indication representing do not disturb; and means, responsive to the do not disturb indication, for not activating any of the plurality of alerters and for routing the incoming call to a mailbox whereby a voice message is recordable.
 34. A system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the mailbox includes a plurality of mailboxes; further comprising means for associating each predetermined call identifier with one mailbox of the plurality of mailboxes; and wherein the means for routing the incoming call to the mailbox includes means for recording the voice message in the one mailbox associated with the particular identifier.
 35. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; and wherein the plurality of telephone terminals include cordless handsets; the telecommunications functions management system includes a personal communications controller which is coupled to the telephone network by a communications line of the telecommunications service subscriber; the incoming call identifier is received through the communications line by the personal communications controller at which the steps of providing, associating, correlating and activating are effected; and the step of activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier includes signaling, by the personal communications controller, over a wireless link the cordless handsets associated with the one or more alerters.
 36. A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the plurality of telephone terminals include telephone sets having respective satellite controllers which are connected in parallel to the communications line and each of which controls operation of the alerter associated with the corresponding telephone set; and the step of activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier includes signaling, by the personal communications controller, the satellite controllers over the communications line at a channel above a voice channel, thereby addressing the satellite controllers associated with the one or more alerters.
 37. In a telecommunications functions management system for a telecommunications service subscriber having a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, said telephone terminals being communicatively coupled to a telecommunications network which provides an identifier of an incoming call directed to the subscriber, a method for managing alerting of the incoming call comprising the steps of:providing one or more predetermined call identifiers; associating each predetermined call identifier with one or more alerters of the plurality of alerters; correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers; activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier; and wherein the telecommunications functions management system includes a personal communications controller which is coupled to the telephone network by a communications line of the telecommunications service subscriber; the plurality of telephone terminals include telephone sets having respective satellite controllers which are connected in parallel to the communications line and each of which controls operation of the alerter associated with the corresponding telephone set; the incoming call identifier is received through the communications lien by the personal communications controller at which the steps of providing, associating, correlating and activating are effected; and the step of activating the one or more alerters associated with the particular identifier includes signaling, by the personal communications controller, the satellite controllers over the communications line at a channel above a voice channel, thereby addressing the satellite controllers associated with the one or more alerters.
 38. A telecommunications functions management system, comprising:a plurality of telephone terminals associated with a plurality of alerters, each telephone terminal being adapted to communicate through a subscriber loop with a telecommunications network; and a personal communications controller, coupled to the subscriber loop, for controlling dependent upon predetermined operational parameters, operation of the plurality of alerters in response to an incoming call from the telecommunications network and access of each telephone terminal to the telecommunications network in response to an outgoing call originated from that terminal; a computer station at which data defining the predetermined operation parameters is generated; and means for downloading the data from the computer to the personal communications controller.
 39. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the means for downloading the data includes respective modems in the personal communications controller and the computer workstation, and the subscriber loop carries the data therebetween.
 40. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the means for downloading the data includes a dedicated serial data link between the personal communications controller and the computer workstation.
 41. A system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the plurality of telephone terminals includes one or more cordless handsets; and the personal communications controller includes means for signaling, over a wireless link, each handset to control the operation of the alerter associated therewith.
 42. A system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the plurality of telephone terminals includes one or more telephone sets having respective satellite controllers which are connected in parallel to the subscriber loop; and the personal communications controller includes means for signaling, over the subscriber loop at a channel above a voice channel, each satellite controller to control the operation of the alerter associated with the corresponding telephone set.
 43. A system as claimed in claim 42, wherein each satellite controller includes a switch which, in a closed position, couples the corresponding telephone set to the subscriber loop and, in an open position, disconnects the corresponding telephone set from the subscriber loop; and the personal communications controller includes means for signaling each satellite controller to select either the open position or the closed position for its switch.
 44. A system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the predetermined operational parameters includes one or more predetermined call identifiers, each being associated with one or more terminal identifiers; and the personal communications controller includes:means for receiving, for the telecommunications network, an identifier of the incoming call; and means for signaling, responsive to correlating the incoming call identifier to a particular call identifier of the one or more predetermined call identifiers, to activate the alerters corresponding to the one or more terminal identifiers associated with the particular call identifier. 